Philippine Tackle Football League

The Philippine Tackle Football League (PTFL), formerly known as ArenaBall Philippines (ABP), was an American football league in the Philippines. The last champions were the Wolves which won their second title and the Bandits held the most titles, winning four seasons.

Philippine Tackle Football League
FormerlyArenaBall Philippines
SportAmerican football
Founded2009
Inaugural season2010
Ceased2015
No. of teams5 (2015–16)
CountryPhilippines
Venue(s)PhilSports Complex
Last
champion(s)		Wolves (2nd title)
Most titlesBandits (4 titles)
TV partner(s)IBC 13
Official websitewww.ptfleague.com

History
Logo as ArenaBall Philippines (2009–2014)

Season 1

The league was inaugurated on December 12, 2009, by Bernardo “Dodi” A. Palma at the University of Santo Tomas Field. In April 2010, the first official game of the league's first season was played at the Marikina Sports Complex. The inaugural season was contested by four teams; the Bandits, Barracudas, Juggernauts and the Wolves. The first season started initially with a 7-on-7 format utilizing 3 offensive linemen on offense.

The first champions of the league were the Bandits.[1] The Bandits' running back and team captain, Will Yeh, was named MVP of the first season.[2]

Season 2

In season two, the league switched to a 9-on-9 format. The Barracudas disbanded and were replaced by The Rebels. The Bandits won its second championship beating the Juggernauts at the ArenaBowl 14–6.[3] The Juggernauts' quarterback Paul Reyes was named MVP of the 2011 season.[4]

Season 3

By season 3, the league had moved onto the standard 11-on-11 format. The Bandits and Juggernaut once met again at the championships in season 3 with the Bandits taking their third consecutive league championships scoring 25–8. The MVP of the 2012 season once again came from the Juggernauts, Johnny Babaran who plays as a running back.[5]

Season 4

The Bandits also won the 2013–14 season, again by beating the Juggernauts; 14–6.[6]

Season 5

In season 5, the Vanguards joined the league and the Wolves became the first team other than the Bandits to win the championship, which the former won over the later with the score 16–0. The Wolves' wide receiver, Ivan Klaric was named MVP of the 2014–15 season.[7][8][9]

Season 6

Matches of Season 6 took place at the PhilSports Complex. The Tigers and Renegades were the new two teams to join the league.[10] The league has also been rebranded as the Philippine Tackle Football League (PTFL). The PTFL also has managed to strike a deal with Asian Television Content Corp. to air its games at IBC 13.[11] The Tigers withdrew midseason.

By early December 2015, it was reported that all five teams of the league withdrew following a dispute regarding a canceled game and the financing of the league. A game was canceled reportedly following a $250 payment to Bernardo “Dodi” Palma, President of the league. The players of the teams were also reportedly the one who pays the expenses of the league despite sponsorship funds received by the league.[12]

The five teams decided to hold two canceled games and the championships outside the league's auspices.[12]

Manila Wolves defeated the Manila Bandits at the final championship held at the Acacia field in Manila in December 2015 under the banner "Super Bowl I".[13]

The league folded in December 2015.[14] It was succeeded by the Philippine-American Football League which was organized in 2016.[15]

Teams
  • Bandits (Season 1–6)
  • Barracudas (Season 1)
  • Juggernauts (Season 1–5)
  • Knights
  • Rebels (Season 2–5)
  • Renegades (Season 6)
  • Wolves
  • Vanguards (Season 5–6)

League winners and runners-up
Team Champions Years won Runners-up Years lost
Bandits
4
 2010–11, 2011, 2012, 2013–14
1
 2014–15
Wolves
2
 2014–15, 2015
0
 None
Juggernauts
0
 None
4
 2010–11, 2011, 2012, 2013–14

See also

References
  1. "Philippines". IFAF. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  2. "ABP Personalities: Will Yeh". ArenaBall Philippines. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  3. "ArenaBall Season 2 Game Results". ArenaBall Philippines. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  4. "ArenaBall Season 3 to kick off at Subic". The Philippine Star. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  5. "Bandits stop Juggernauts, seal ABP 3-peat". ABS-CBN News. The Philippine Star. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  6. "Pilipinas Aguilas Lilipad na" (in Tagalog). Abante. 18 February 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  7. "Teams". ArenaBall Philippines. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  8. "Prep Your Gear... Season 5 is Here! ABP Welcomes its 6th Team". ArenaBall Philippines. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  9. "Wolves foil Bandits, nail first ABP crown". The Philippine Star. 4 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  10. "Bandits, 2 others rap foes in PTFL opener". The Philippine Star. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  11. Payo, Jasmine (6 October 2015). "Tackle football hopes to lure more supporters". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  12. Kelly, Roger (14 December 2015). "Has The Philippine Tackle Football League Disintegrated?". American Football International Review. American Football International, LLC. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  13. Kelly, Roger (17 December 2015). "Manila Wolves Repeat As Philippines Champions". American Football International Review. American Football International, LLC. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  14. Kelly, Roger (27 February 2016). "The Philippines Aguilas Host the Korean Tigers in Far East Action". American Football International Review. American Football International, LLC. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  15. "Philippine American Football League Reaches Semifinals". American Football International. 3 December 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
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